Protective structures for joints

Abstract

A protective structure for a joint of a body limb comprising an outer shield supported by internal bracing and cushioning devices so arranged that the shock of any blow upon said shield is fully distributed over the area surrounding the protected joint.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. A protective structure for a joint of a body limb comprising: a. a rigid shield;   b. bracing and cushioning means;   c. fasteners for attaching said bracing and cushioning means to said shield; and   d. means for attaching said shield, bracing and cushioning means and fasteners to the user whereby     said rigid shield generally conforms in shape to the front and sides of said joint in semi-flexed configuration albeit larger; is continuous; and entirely surrounds the area to be protected; and   said bracing and cushioning means comprise body-conforming flexible straps which are in substantially intimate contact with the limbs surrounding the joint area and suspend said shield in non-contacting relationship to said joint.   
     
     
       2. A protective structure according to claim 1 whereby said rigid shield contains holes to permit foreign object removal and ventilation. 
     
     
       3. A protective structure according to claim 1 whereby said means for attaching said shield; bracing and cushioning means; and fasteners to the user comprises bands which are attached to the bracing and cushioning means. 
     
     
       4. A protective structure according to claim 3 whereby said bands are elastic. 
     
     
       5. A protective structure according to claim 1 whereby said means for attaching said shield; bracing and cushioning means; and fasteners to the user comprises bands which are attached to said shield. 
     
     
       6. A protective structure according to claim 5 whereby said bands are elastic. 
     
     
       7. A protective structure according to claim 1 whereby said shield contains an inner padded wall said padding never in contact with said joint in normal use. 
     
     
       8. A protective structure according to claim 1 whereby said shield has protective padding on portions of the inside periphery to avoid injury to the limb area surrounding the joint. 
     
     
       9. A protective structure according to claim 1 whereby said fasteners releasably secure said bracing and cushioning means to said shield. 
     
     
       10. A protective structure according to claim 1 whereby said body-conforming flexible straps which are in substantially intimate contact with the limb surrounding the joint area possess "V"-shaped straps between said body-conforming straps and said shield whereby the ends of the "V"-shaped straps are attached sequentially around the periphery of said body-conforming straps and the apexes of said "V"-shaped straps are attached to the inside of said shield to aid the suspension of said shield about said body-conforming straps and to normally apply a tensional strain to all said body-conforming straps when structure is in place around said joint. 
     
     
       11. A protective structure according to claim 1 whereby said body-conforming flexible straps which are in substantially intimate contact with the limbs surrounding the joint area possess "V"-shaped straps between said body-conforming straps and said shield whereby the ends of the "V"-shaped straps are attached sequentially around the inside of said shield and the apexes of said "V"-shaped straps are attached to the periphery of said body-conforming straps.   
     
     
       12. A protective structure according to claim 1 whereby said bracing and cushioning straps comprise non-stretchable fabric tape.